Another year is winding down in fine form. We look forward to another great one in 2014!

Swimming for Life,

Your Friends at U.S. Masters Swimming

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Looking for a Holiday-Themed Workout?

by Elaine K. Howley, Associate Editor

Read what these creative coaches and swimmers have concocted for the season

Oh, it's the most stressful time of the year, isn't it? With to-do lists as long as our swimmers' arms, we dash through the snow in our 300-horse-powered SUVs, scurrying to and fro in that time-honored winter activity of gathering things: presents, decorations, and greeting cards, all in the name of winter traditions.Read more...

Building the Perfect Pre-Race Warm-Up

by Coach Scott Bay, Team Blu Frog

Things to think about in your quest for the Goldilocks warm-up

Coaches are often asked what athletes should do for warm-up before they race at a meet. The best warm-up should challenge and prepare your swimmers not too much, not too little, but just right. And ultimately, the best warm-up is the one that works. Sure, that's a vague answer, but if we were all the same, someone would have come up with "the perfect warm-up" already.Read more...

Are Your Swimmers Registered?

Early Registration Discounts

2014 member registration is now open, and USMS is again offering sponsor discounts for those members who register before December 31. Members registering during this period will receive coupon codes via email from the following sponsors:

Once you see the entire list, click the appropriate club or workout group link at the top and it will show just your members.

Boost Your Club with a Team Sales Page

by the Professionals at SwimOutlet.com

Special Advertorial

Take the hassle out of outfitting your club

Most coaches can probably relate to the adage: there's simply too much to do and not enough hours in the day in which to do it all. Their days are filled with coaching athletes, planning schedules, handling the latest pool equipment breakdown, planning and attending meets, and communicating with members.Read more...

Questions from Coaches

with Bill Brenner, Club and Coach Services Director

How can I best introduce an aquatics director to Masters Swimming?

Questions about growing your club, managing club business, or becoming a better coach? Club and Coach Services Director Bill Brenner has answers.

Q:A new aquatics director was recently hired at the YMCA where I coach Masters. She has no knowledge of Masters Swimming or USMS. What should I tell her when she asks about our club?

A: I recommend asking for a scheduled meeting when you can privately introduce yourself and talk about Masters Swimming. Although within USMS you have a club or workout group, it's important to refer to Masters as a program when talking with aquatics directors or other facility administrators who may be unfamiliar with Masters Swimming.

Aquatics directors often have the perception that swim teams overrun the pool and squeeze out members who use the pool for lap swimming. Aquatics directors must manage these concerns and program the pool accordingly. Get in front of this by explaining that Masters is a program, much like water aerobics or swim lessons, but for adults aged 18+ who choose to swim as their form of exercise to live a healthier lifestyle.

During your meeting, describe how Masters Swimming is diverse in age, gender, and ability. It generates revenue and fulfills a community service-and will often provide expanded opportunities for the facility's existing lap swimmers, not take away their lanes. Give her a copy of the facility booklet that USMS produces to explain why facilities benefit from Masters Swimming programs. This comprehensive guide is very helpful in describing USMS. Copies arrive in club welcome kits each year and can also be ordered online through the USMS Program Resources page.

Invite the new aquatics director to one of your practices and introduce her to the members of your program. Encourage your members to welcome her at every opportunity. Make her feel part of the program by inviting her to social events. Maybe she's a Masters swimmer and just hasn't realized it yet!

If you need additional assistance, a representative from Club and Coach Services is available with email, phone, and onsite support.

What Rule is THAT?!

withKathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair

Do I have to take an arm stroke immediately after completing a backstroke turn?

Q:Our LMSC newsletter cited a few new rules, one being that backstrokers must "Immediately initiate pull on turn." Does this mean that once the swimmer rolls over, the arm stroke must be taken right away without coasting?

A: Yes. The new language is clarifying language only. The interpretation has not changed; upon rolling over the swimmer may take a single or double arm pull that must be part of the continuous turning action. In other words, it was previously and still is grounds for a disqualification if you roll over and coast before taking the pull or coast after taking the pull. Once the body has left the position on the back, any kick or arm pull must be part of the continuous turning action (101.4.3, see below). Rolling over is considered part of the turn and the turning action must be continuous.

The official rule reads: "101.4.3 Turns-Upon...wall. During the turn the shoulders may be turned past the vertical toward the breast, after which an immediate continuous single arm pull or an immediate continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn."

All rule references are from the 2013 USMS Rule Book. The new language cited here is dated 9/25/13 and posted on the Rule Book page under the Important Updates section.

For any questions about competition rules in Part 1, contact Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair. For any questions about administrative rules in Parts 2 and 4-6, contact Meg Smath, USMS Legislation Chair.

Small club? Just starting out? Don't have an advertising budget? We have created free templates that you can use to promote your program, your swim meets, and your open water events.

Masters Coaching Opportunities

Looking for a coach? Looking for a club?

USMS maintains a discussion forum on usms.org to match coaches with the clubs that need them. The Coaching Forum has several current threads posted; check back frequently for updates. And remember, if you are hired as a coach or you hire another coach for your club, please update your posting on this helpful forum to save time for others.

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About Us

About U.S. Masters Swimming

U.S. Masters Swimming, founded in 1970, is a membership-operated national governing body that promotes health, wellness, fitness, and competition for adults through swimming. It does so by partnering with more than 1,500 adult swim programs across the country; promoting information via the bimonthly member magazine, SWIMMER, monthly e-newsletters, STREAMLINES, and website, usms.org; and by sanctioning and promoting pool, open water, and virtual events and competitions. More than 55,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming.

About STREAMLINES for Coaches

U.S. Masters Swimming encourages all U.S. Masters Swimming coaches to subscribe to STREAMLINES for Coaches. However if you would rather not receive this update, please do not click the unsubscribe button, as that will remove you from all other USMS National Office mailings. Rather, please click on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link at the bottom of this email. Here you can select to discontinue your STREAMLINES for Coaches service or sign up for the monthly members' newsletter, STREAMLINES, and/or STREAMLINES for Volunteers, a bimonthly publication.